Written reply to PQ on policy measures to prevent entities from leveraging Singapore’s trade hub status to bypass global due diligence standards

Question:

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry in light of MTI's submission on 15 April 2026 to the US Trade Representative indicating jurisdictional and practical limitations in monitoring the use of forced labour in production within extra-territorial supply chains, what specific policy measures are being considered to prevent entities from leveraging Singapore's trade hub status to bypass global due diligence standards.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.                  Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour. We criminalise forced labour in Singapore under various laws. Relevant government ministries and agencies, such as MOM, MHA and SPF, play their part in investigating complaints of suspected breaches in domestic laws that relate to forced labour practices.

2.                  Singapore has also consistently played a constructive role in advancing international labour standards to address the issue of forced labour. We ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (C29) in October 1965.

Forced labour in complex and multi-tiered supply chains is a transnational issue that is most effectively addressed at source, and with international cooperation. We will continue to work with the international community to develop measures against forced labour globally, and will review our regulatory approach from time to time to ensure it remains relevant in addressing this issue.